White Denim Announce New Album “13” out 24th April via Bella Union
& Share Lead Single and Video “(God Created) Lock And Key”
L.A-based rockers White Denim announce their new album 13 out 24th April and available to preorder here. An incandescent, groove-heavy alchemy of rock, funk, dub, soul, down-dirty blues – and plenty more besides – it’s imbued with the same questing spirit that’s been the band’s trademark since first starting in Austin, Texas, some 20 years ago. To accompany today’s announcement the band have shared the pungent psyche-funk-blues of album opener and lead single “(God Created) Lock And Key”, a track that begins with a piece of waggish self-mythology: “On the thirteenth day God created White Denim” – but soon goes somewhere darker. The track comes accompanied by a visually arresting video created by cinematographer O’Connor Hartnett.
The ferocious sound of White Denim immediately draws you in. This raucous, rocking creation is filled with these deep grooves and fierce melodic hooks. Compelling drum shuffles, almighty stop-starts and this energy that explodes throughout, the power brings this bright and immersive exploration.
Commenting on the track White Denim singer/guitarist/bandleader James Petralli says: “This is a Beefheart / Sun Ra sort of thing. I hope that it’s a somewhat terrifying, startling, and visceral piece for everyone that hears it. Everything I say in that song is the truth. It’s about power, generational cycles of abuse, shame, violence, and survival. It is an articulation of the rage that I feel and hopefully can at least partially conceal successfully most of the time. The things that we all understand and know and see and push down to get through the day.”
“I’ve always wanted to make work that’s a reflection of my life experience,” says James Petralli of his band’s thirteenth album. “The just-below-the-surface significance to ‘13’ as an album title is that I was born on the thirteenth of August. ‘13’ in numerology can signify independence, creativity, and a solid foundation, but inversely is often considered to be unlucky and can signify chaos and misfortune. Like everyone, I can certainly see both sides in my life.”
Petralli’s wide-ranging musical appetites have become more voracious over time. The sounds and textures of 13 are informed by everyone from Scritti Politti to The Gap Band, Terry Reid to King Tubby, Caetano Veloso to John Cale, Stevie Wonder to ‘80s-era Steve Winwood. Such diversity is reflected in multi-faceted gems like “(God Created) Lock And Key”, “Only A Fool” and “That’s Rap”.
Elsewhere, the temperate “Time Time” heads into the kind of soulful, horn-gilded territory that earmarked White Denim’s previous album, 2024’s critically-lauded ‘12’. Here, Petralli addresses the roll of the years, creative freedom and the importance of family: “It’s a sort of promise that, as long as I’m alive, I will try to prioritise my wife and children and our relationships above all else.” This is a key theme of ‘13’. “I felt that I had to write about my life and experience as a middle-aged dad trying to do better for a family and make sense of this life through making art,” he adds.
The album features band members Michael Hunter (keyboards) and Matt Young (drums and percussion) alongside original drummer Josh Block, who, having also journeyed west from Texas in recent times is now Petralli’s neighbour. Block’s presence on ‘13’ – alongside the likes of Owen Pallet (strings), Jesse Chandler (clarinet, sax, flute), Kosta Galanoupolis (bass), and Dawes siblings Griffin and Taylor Goldsmith – highlights both the fluid nature of latter-day White Denim and Petralli’s determination to honour the band’s initial directive.
Also aboard is fellow original, bassist Steve Terebecki. “I wouldn’t call a project White Denim if it didn’t include significant contributions from another founding member of the group,” asserts Petralli. “‘12’ and ‘13’ both feature Josh and Steve in various capacities. I recorded and arranged these last two records for the most part, but I really don’t ever want to be alone. Music has given me a place and purpose in this world. And it’s been the primary way I’ve connected with other people over the years.”
‘13’ proves that Petralli continues to do so. And in imperious style.
1. (God Created) Lock and Key
2. Chew Nails
3. Only A Fool
4. Time Time
5. Crossfyre
6. Keep Calling Me (Baby)
7. Earth To
8. That’s Rap
9. Hired Hand #2
10. Ruby
11. Matchbook Baby
12. Quiet Moment
13. Drive Trucks
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